Remote delivery of a mindfulness-based intervention to decrease stress levels and promote coping among health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

11007 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant stress amongst everyone around the world. Healthcare workers (HCW) in particular, experience substantial stress in these challenging environments. In an effort to find supportive interventions for radiation oncology providers, while respecting the requirements of physical distancing, we proposed the remote delivery of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). The primary aim of this study is to determine the association of this intervention with a reduction of perceived stress. Secondary aims are to evaluate the impact on coping and burnout amongst HCW in the Radiation Program (RP). Methods: This is a single-centre, single-arm, pilot study. All HCW associated with the RP were eligible. This was a voluntary effort. The intervention - manualized, mindfulness-based group for HCW, entitled Mindfulness-Based Resilience and Well-Being Training, consisted of four 1-hour sessions per week for 4 weeks. From Nov 2020 to Dec 2021, 6 consecutive closed groups MBI were delivered remotely using Zoom. Each group consisted of 5-12 participants and one professional with a background in mindfulness facilitation. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), The Maslach Burnout Inventory and the BriefCOPE questionnaire were collected pre-intervention, and at 1, 4 and 12 weeks post-intervention. Linear mixed effect models with a random intercept to account for the repeated measures were used to assess the change of outcomes over time. Results: Amongst 43 HCWs who expressed initial interest, 33 completed the study. At 1-, 4- and 12-weeks post-intervention 25, 24 and 21 participants provided completed questionnaires respectively. Time constraint was the main reason for withdrawal and missing data. There was a significant decrease in perceived stress at week 1, 4 and 12 when compared to baseline [mean baseline PSS score: 22.5 (SD = 4.6), week 1: 18.4 (4.9), p= 0.002, week 4: 16.8 (6.5), p< 0.001, week 12: 16.3 (6.8), p< 0.001]. Overall, 7 (21%) participants reported high PSS (27-40) at baseline while none reported high levels at 1 and 12 weeks. Problem focused coping( p= 0.02), and active coping ( p= 0.009) were significantly higher at 1 week but not at 4 and 12 weeks. Conclusions: The remote delivery of a MBI is feasible and effective to reduce perceived stress levels and to promote coping across HCWs. These findings need to be validated in a larger cohort. Time was a major constraint preventing the participation of interested HCWs. It would be extremely valuable for departments to support such interventions and programs to help HCWs cultivate skills to meet the demands related to working in healthcare environments throughout and beyond this crisis.